His Work Among the Luo People Of Kenya Go ... and make disciples of all nations Matthew 28:19
September 2, 1993

Fraley's Chapel Church of Christ
c/o Jeff Young
Rte. #2 Box 421
Corinth, Mississippi  38834

Hello from Luo Land,

     Hope this finds you are all well.   We are still experiencing some
colds, and I had my second case of Malaria in eight years, which kept me in
bed for three days.  However, the work of the Lord continues to move on and
grow day by day.  This last three weeks has been especially busy with
teaching appointments and meetings.  The Luo Christians continue to mature
and find new ways to serve their Lord and Master.  However, along with the
good times the Lord has told us that trials will come our way.  And it is a
trial of faith of one Luo brothers that I would like to share with you this
month.
     His name is Clement Kasuku.  He is about 32 years old and has been a
Christian for about 10 years.  He is married (with two children), and his
wife and two brothers are Christians in their home.  Clement has only an
eighth grade education, but is one of the best readers in Luo land of the
Bible.  He is fluent in five different languages (one of them being
English).  Not bad for only having an eighth grade education is it?
    At first, it sounds like Clement has a lot going for him.  Until you
come to understand that his father is not a Christian, and very opposed to
the beliefs of his son, and the new way of life that has been brought into
his village.  You see, Clements' father is a traditionalist at heart even
though he says that he worships God.  Clements' father will spend a lot of
money on the medical care of the local Witch Doctor, but refuses to spend
any money on good medical care.  His fathers beliefs have been very evident
in the last 3 months, and this is what has caused the struggle with faith
in Clements' life.
    September of last year, while we were on furlough, Clement became
sick.  However, we did not find out about it until receiving a telegram (in
June), from a church that was about 10 miles away from Clements' home.
This telegram sounded urgent, since it said Clement was very sick.  Upon
arriving at Clements' home we found him near death.  We had to carry him to
the vehicle, and transport him 70 miles to the doctor in Kisii.  It was not
until 3 days later in the hospital, and 1 pint of blood, that Clement
became coherent and started to realize just how close to death that he
really was.
    Clement has since been in four different hospitals.  He gets well
enough to be discharged, and upon reaching home becomes sicker that before.
This is when his father "tries" to help him with the services of the local
Witch Doctor without the consent of Clement, because he is to sick to do
anything about it.  We have had a struggle with the beliefs of Clements'
father, and have spent much time trying to show him Gods' way.  We only
pray that through our example that eyes can be opened and souls can be
saved.
    Clement is still not well.  The doctors have given a total of six
pints of blood since the start of medical care in June, and the blood
refuses to build up in Clements' body.  Just yesterday I took Clement back
to Kisii to be transferred to a hospital in Nairobi for a bone marrow test.
The doctors now think that Clement may have Leukemia.  Please pray for
Clement in this time of dire need, as King Hezekiah prayed, that the Lord
may add to him years of service in His kingdom, along with increased faith
to sustain him while he is away from his Christian family in South Nyanza.
     Clements' good health will also be a great witness to his father,
showing that the local Witch Doctor is not to be trusted, but rather that
we need to depend on God.  The medical care in Kenya is often lacking so
please pray for God to guide the doctors on Clements' behalf.  Also, please
continue to remember us in our daily work, as we often think and petition
the Lord on your behalf.

In Christ,
 
 

Barry Rosie